Nathan Rollinson, 33, was left stranded on the floor for 23 hours after falling from his wheelchair in a third-floor flat deemed unsuitable by a South London council. Unable to eat or use the toilet, Rollinson was eventually rescued by firefighters who had to hoist him over the flat’s balcony due to an out-of-order lift.
Rollinson, who suffered from brain and spinal injuries in a rugby accident last year, recounted crawling out from under his 160kg wheelchair and dragging himself along the floor to survive. Emergency services struggled to evacuate him because the only safe route, a fire lift, was broken. The firefighters took three hours to rescue him, utilizing a 32m turntable ladder.
Rollinson was treated at the hospital for spinal issues, kidney injuries, and a blood clot in his lungs. Following the incident, he criticized Lambeth Council’s adult social care team for placing him in an inappropriate flat. He has since been discharged from the hospital and is staying at a Central London hotel while awaiting suitable accommodation.
Lambeth Council expressed regret over the incident, stating that the flat was deemed suitable by an occupational therapist and offered to Rollinson for a full assessment. They assured continued support for Rollinson’s housing needs. The housing association managing the property, Metropolitan Thames Valley Housing (MTVH), confirmed the lift was fixed by July 2, four days after Rollinson’s fall, and acknowledged the distress caused by the delay.
The London Fire Brigade (LFB) confirmed their involvement in the rescue operation, which began on June 29 at 3:24 pm and concluded at 6:53 pm. The London Ambulance Service declined to comment on the case, citing patient confidentiality.
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